Detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in seawater using a reversed-displacement immunosensor

Anal Biochem. 2002 Nov 1;310(1):36-41. doi: 10.1016/s0003-2697(02)00288-9.

Abstract

Reported in this study are the experimental design and results of an immunosensor for the detection of the explosive, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in seawater using a reversed-displacement format. This reversed-displacement immunosensor methodology has successfully measured TNT in seawater by direct injection, eliminating the need for preconcentration or pretreatment of samples. A microcolumn containing an Affi-Gel resin derivatized with a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TNB) moiety and a fluorophore-labeled anti-TNT antibody composed the immunoassay reactive chamber. Fluorophore-labeled anti-TNT antibody was incubated with the modified Affi-Gel resin until binding equilibrium was reached. Under a constant flow, samples containing TNT were introduced into the flow stream displacing the fluorophore-labeled TNT antibody. Limits of detection were 2.5ng/mL or part-per-billion (ppb) for TNT in saline buffer and 25ppb in seawater with an analysis time of 10 min. Two anti-TNT antibodies with differing binding affinities were compared in the reversed-displacement assay format, and a correlation between affinity and detection limits was observed. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the reversed-displacement format can be used to screen seawater samples containing TNT, remains effective after dozens of cycles, and provides significant fluorescence response before regeneration is required.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Fluoresceins / chemistry
  • Immunoassay
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Seawater / analysis*
  • Seawater / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • T-2 Toxin / immunology
  • Trinitrotoluene / analysis*
  • Trinitrotoluene / chemistry
  • Trinitrotoluene / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Fluoresceins
  • Trinitrotoluene
  • T-2 Toxin